LAHORE: Lahore police have suspended the entire staff of Ghaziabad Police Station after a mentally disabled young woman was allegedly raped by a police official inside the station, authorities said on Tuesday.
According to police, all 78 personnel posted at the police station, including the station house officer (SHO), two sub-inspectors and eight assistant sub-inspectors, have been suspended pending completion of the investigation.
Sources said an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) allegedly took the woman to the police station under the pretext of an investigation, where she was sexually assaulted.
A case has been registered at Ghaziabad Police Station under Section 376 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which relates to rape, and Section 155-C of the Police Order 2002 concerning misconduct by police officials.
According to the first information report (FIR), the victim’s father stated that his approximately 20-year-old daughter, who has a mental disability, left home on Sunday afternoon but failed to return, prompting the family to search for her.
He said a passer-by informed the family that a police officer dressed in plain clothes had taken the woman to the police station.
The family later reached the police station at around 9pm but were told that she had already returned home.
The complainant said he found his daughter crying when he reached home. According to the FIR, she told him that a police officer had taken her on a motorcycle before sexually assaulting her.
Police said investigations were continuing to determine the circumstances of the incident and fix responsibility on all those involved.
Meanwhile, DIG Operations Faisal Kamran visited Ghaziabad Police Station and conducted a detailed inspection of the station’s records, front desk, lock-up and overall administrative arrangements.
He also reviewed the attendance of officers and personnel on duty and directed them to perform their responsibilities with diligence and professionalism.
The DIG instructed police officials to ensure the prompt and merit-based resolution of public complaints, treat all complainants with respect and further strengthen the patrolling system to improve law and order and prevent crime.
